Antirattler for fifth-wheels.



110.746,218. PATBNTBD DEG..8,1903..

P. E. WILcoX.

ANTIRATTLER POR-'FIFTH WHEELS.

APPLIoATIoN FILED MAB. '2m-1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented December 8 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ANTIRATTLER FOR FpIFTH-WH EELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,218, dated December 8, 1903.

l f Application sled March 23, 1903. serial No. 149,168. (No model.)

T all whom it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, FRANK E. WILCOX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mechanicsburg, in the county of `Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Antirattlers for Fifth-Wheels, of which the following yis a specification.

The object of my invention is, first, the provision of improved means for holding the lower member of a vehicle fifth-wheel in frictional contact with the upper member by means of spring-pressure, whereby the movement of the vehicle will not impart suicient vibratory motion to the lower member as to cause it to separate from the upper member and rattle, and, second, the provision of an antifriction-roller to engage the lower member of the fifth-wheel, whereby the same may turn easily upon the upper member, n said means to be simplein construction, durable,

examples and one slight modification of the physical embodiment of my invention, constructed according to the best modes I havel so far devised for the practical application of the principle.A

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle fifth-wheel, showing my improved device in combination with the fifth-wheel members. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of Fig. 1, taken on a line through the antirattler. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section similar.. to Fig. 2, showing a grooved roller interposed between a follower and the lower member of a fifthwheel, said member being plano-convex in section. Fig. 4' shows a plain roller and a lower fth wheel member rectangular in cross-section. Fig. 5 illustrates the follower shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 shows a follower which is angular in cross-section.

Referring to the several figures, thev numeral 1 designates the upper member of a vehicle fifth-wheel; 2, perforated lugs integral with the upper member; 3, the yoke; 4.,

the arms ofthe yoke recessed to receive bolts; 5, holes for bolts in the base of the yoke;`6, the bolts which secure the yoke to the lugs; 7, nuts upon the ends of the bolts; 8, a hole in or through the base of the yoke; 9, a spring- 13 in Fig..2, a concave seat for the lower member of the fifth-wheel, which lower member is plano-convex in section; 14, the lower member; 15 in Fig. 3, an antifriction-roller made conca-ve to receive the plano-convexV lower member of the fifth-wheel; .16, a seat for the roller in the upper end ofthe follower; 17 in Fig. 4, a cylindrical roller located within the seat at the top end of the follower, and 18 in Fig. 6 is a follower which is'rectangular'in cross-section.

' The-method of assembling the several parts and elements is obvious from an inspection of the figures of the drawings. To remove and replace a spring, follower, or roller, the nuts 7 are turned od and the retaining-plate detached, when the several parts enumerated may be withdrawn through the hole in the base of the yoke. v In Fig. 2 the roller is not used, in Fig. 3 the roller is concave, and in Fig. 4 a cylindrical roller is employed. If desi-red, the fol-A lower may be angular in cross-section (see Fig. 6) to fit an angular hole in the yoke, so the said follower cannot rotate in a horizontal plane. If desired, the retaining-plate may rbe omitted and the spring and follower be seated within a recess formed in the base of the yoke, in which casethe entire yoke must be removed to replace a spring or follower.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, it becomes clear .that I have'produced an antirattling device for the fifth-wheel members which fulfils all the conditions set forth as the end and purpose of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with the upper and lower fifth-Wheel members, of a yoke having a hole in the base to receive a follower; a follower provided with a recess in its lower end; and a spring in the recess of the follower; said spring holding the lower member against the upper member.

2. The combination with the upper and lower fifth-wheel members, of a yoke having a hole in the base to receive a follower; a follower provided with a recess in its lower end; a spring located in the hole of' the base and the recess in the follower; a retaining-plate bearing against the spring; and bolts; in substance as set forth.

3. The combination with the upper and lower fifth-wheel members, of a yoke; a follower provided with a recess for a spring; and a seat for a roller; a roller or antifriction element; and a spring.

4. The combination with an antirattler comprising a follower and a spring, of an antifriction element engaging the lower member of the fifth-wheel and the follower.

5. The combination with the upper and lower fifth-wheel members, of a yoke; a follower; a spring seated within a recess in the end of the follower; an antifriction element between the lower fifth-wheel member and the follower; and said follower engaging the yoke in such a manner that it is prevented from rotatingi ahorizontal plane.

In testimony whereof I allx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK E. WILCOX.

Witnesses:

LESTER E. I-IIoKoK, J. F. BRICKER. 

